A-Page-A-Day Challenge!

Just like the title of my post says, I am committing to one page a day. The challenge runs from today, May 15th through June 15th. I'll update my progress here or on the sidebar, not sure which yet.
Maybe sidebar.
Then I can add the logo and update my daily words or if I wrote a page.
Hm.
Too tired to think now.

I will update right now, though.
I wrote a page at LUW conference today.
(Not while a presenter was speaking because that would be rude.)

A blurb from Weronika Janczuk, our lovely hostess:

From May 15th to June 15th 2010 forty-some writers will participate in my Page-a-Day challenge. We'll seek to lessen our word count and other goals to a page a day, no more, no less, and we'll strive to make each individual page stronger.

Twitter

We're using the #padc hashtag.

Bloggers

For a list of blogging participants, check out this page.

Everyone Else

We'll keep track in the comments on this blog post.

Love this Picture! Have a great weekend

Eilean Donan Castle. Scotland.

Image by bluestardrop

Master the Art! LDStorymakers 2010

I'm a little slow to recap my weekend at LDStorymakers. I love the casual, friendly atmosphere of the conference and learning from the best.

Here are my notes from my first class on Friday:
How To avoid The Common Mistakes of a Novice Writer by Heather Moore
Flashbacks:
Don't start your book with flashbacks or dreams. If you have to, keep them short.
It's hard to keep romantic tension with flashbacks.
Info Dump:
Info dump doesn't need to be long.
Don't start book with info dump.
If your reader skims to next scene it means there is too much info dump.
Hook:
Set the hook in the first sentence of the first paragraph.
Set hook at the end of the chapter in the middle of action, with the unexpected or with a new question being raised.
Point of View:
Write from point of view of the character with the most to lose.
Dialogue:
Don't dumb down.
Cliches:
Avoid them!
Use different senses and unique metaphors or similes.

Mormon Mishaps and Mischief by Giles and Beck

Whoever thought sacrament meeting could be so silly? In Mormon Mishaps and Mischief you'll find a unique collection of hilarious short stories from celebrated LDS authors that turn the spotlight on ordinary members to illuminate the lighter side of Mormondom. Whether it's the annual Primary program or a simple Sunday school prayer, you'll soon find that where two or three are gathered together . . . there's bound to be potential for some humor. Cure your family's Sunday afternoon doldrums with a little dose of mishaps and mischief.


There should be a warning that comes with this book. "Do not read while in sacrament meeting or during a funeral. Loud laughter will ensue and disrupt meetings. Not advisable to read to snarling dobermans."

This book is hilarious. I love that I can pick it up , read a few stories, laugh my head off, then put it down for when I need a laugh later.

I didn't realize that so many members had similar stories! As I read I would think, 'Hey! That happened to me too!'. For example: my son called the FHE prayers opening and shutting prayers.
One of my 5 yr old's prayers: “Please bless the computers and XBox so we can play them.” After which he asked, “Mom, if Jesus doesn’t like our prayers does he sell them back?”

Great book to give as a gift as well!
Perfect for Father's Day!
And now! Prizes!

In celebration of Mothers, and all they do for us, Mormon Mishaps authors C.L. Beck and D.N. Giles have put together a giveaway in conjunction with a week-long blog tour. If you aren’t interested in winning a fantastic advertising package valued at $150, you can stop reading now.

Wait, you’re still reading. That must mean you want to hear about our prize package, correct? Well. Okay then.

Let me first tell you a little about our sponsors, yourLDSneighborhood.com and YourLDSradio.com.

yourLDSneighborhood.com is an online shopping mall which features innovative products and LDS-based services, and great ideas for your home, all without the worries of questionable content. Shopping categories include Clothing, Music, Preparedness, Family Entertainment, Scrapbooking, Books and Art, Health and Food, Travel and Recreation, Weddings and more! Visit yourLDSneighborhood.com today.

Your LDS Neighborhood Newsletter is a free online newsletter that comes three times a week right to your email inbox. It provides topical stories and insights that set the tone for your day. The newsletter brings you articles, products, services, resources, and interviews from around the world, all with an LDS focus. Sign up today by clicking here!

YourLDSradio.com commits to bringing you the best in LDS Music – all day, every day and it is totally FREE to listen! Make them your web-surfing companion. It's free and easy to use and makes for the perfect online companion. Listen for yourself at yourLDSradio.com!

Okay, and now for the prize!

Your LDS Neighborhood has offered a YEAR LONG advertising package which includes space on the Neighborhood website as well as tiles in the newsletter. Were you to purchase advertising with them, this package would cost $150.

Here’s the best part. You don’t have to be LDS to advertise with the Neighborhood. As long as the business, blog, or product you’re promoting is family friendly, this advertising package will benefit you. Neighborhood ads are viewed daily around the globe, and by thousands of people.

So how do you win?

Entries will be accepted between May 4th and midnight, MST, May 16th. On May 17th, (or as close there about as possible) the winners will be chosen and announced on the LDS Humor blog. Although it's not required for entry, please take a minute to read the Mormon Mishaps and Mischief review/interview I've posted. Then, you must do the following four things to enter (but don't worry, they aren't hard):

1. Follow my blog, here.
2. Leave a comment here, at this blog.
3. Follow the LDS Humor blog.
4. Follow the Your LDS Neighborhood Newsletter blog.

Extra entries:
1. Blog about this contest, then come back and leave either a url address or a link in a comment.
2. Follow me on Twitter. (Bloggers, you can hyperlink this to your twitter page if you’d like, or include your twitter username.) And then tweet the contest. (Make sure to mention this in a comment.)
3. Facebook the contest. If your Facebook page is private, and I’m not your friend, I can’t see that you’ve done this, so you’ll need to friend me.(Same goes here.) Be sure to leave the link to where you've FB'd the contest in a comment.

All of these options can be mentioned in a single comment, and you can enter at all the participating blogs, as long as you follow and leave a comment for those bloggers so they know you love them.

You may enter this contest here, as well as on any of the tour posts at the following blogs:

May 4th Rachelle Christensen
May 4th Shirley Bahlmann
May 5th Karlene Browning
May 5th Heather Gardener, Fire and Ice Book Reviews
May 6th Kellie Buckner
May 6th Rachel Rager
May 7th Shauna Chambers
May 7th Heather Justesen
May 10th LDS Humor Blog
May 10th Keith Fisher
May 11th Tristi Pinkston
May 11th Rebecca Talley
May 12th Taffy Lovell
May 12th Kimberly Job
May 13th Connie Hall
May 13th Ali Cross

To purchase Mormon Mishaps and Mischief click here.

Catch Me, I'm Falling

Update: Wrote over 1000 words today.

It's been almost two weeks since my critique met and I still haven't even glanced at my story. Well, I glanced and then put it down.
Don't get me wrong!
I love my critique group! They're all talented, amazing writers. Which leaves me the feeling insecure.
Don't get me wrong!
My group is very supportive and kind. And talented. Did I mention talented? Their stories rock and when they're published I'll have the honor of saying we were in a critique group together.
Don't get me wrong!
I plan on being published...someday. And I will.
But for now, I feel stupid, lowly, frustrated and a little scared.
Am I on the right path?
Am I wasting my time?
My heart screams this is where I'm suppose to be.

So, today:
I am going over my critiques armed with chocolate.
This week:
I'm going to edit the last three chapters of my book.

How about you?
Do you ever feel like you want to give up? What do you do to keep going?
Do you ever throw your pen/paper/laptop down in disgust? Quit for the day or week?

Finally, what were the best words of advice that kept you going?

Thanks everyone! It's nice to have a net, like my readers, to catch me.

Linger Contest

I forgot one other contest, hosted by Maggie Stiefvater herself! She is giving away TONS of stuff for her new book release of Linger, sequel to Shiver. Go to her blog Words on Words and check it out.
In the meantime, here's the book trailer:



If that doesn't work, here's the Youtube link: Linger Book Trailer

Contests & Giveaways

Over on Inksplasher, Karlene is doing a fun giveaway through May 15! It's called Luau Lovin' Extravaganza. Sway your hips on over to her blog and comment for a chance to win.

Myth-Takes asks of her readers, What is empowerment? And she is giving away a 10 page critique to a lucky winner.

Check back later this week when I review "Mormon Mishaps" and you can enter to win a $150 advertising package! Check it out now at Random-ish.

Want to win vampire books? Signed ones? Babbling Flow is giving away quite a few!

Sisters in Scribe blog is giving away books and more books! Go! There!

Now for food! Anne Bradshaw is giving away a jar of topical peanut butter!